Every year thousands of swans come to Shengtian Lake in Richeng County, Shanxi Province to pass the winter, turning the Loess Plateau into a "Swan Lake".

The lake is situated at the juncture of Shanxi, Shannxi and Henan provinces.

It is a well-preserved wetland and serves as a major place for many rare and endangered species in north China to pass the winter.

It is home to over 230 species of birds and 50 species of fish.

Every year, thousands of swans from Siberia come to the lake and stay for a period of 10 days.

(CRI.com January 29, 2005)